Concord Academics
Concord University is divided into two colleges: The College of Professional and Liberal Studies and The College of Science, Mathematics, and Health. Both are full of rigorous academic programs, friendly and knowledgeable faculty members, and small class sizes.
Featured Stories
Bluefield, WV
Brian Arnold, a screenwriter living in Los Angeles, is proof that your degree from CU can be a foundation for achieving your dreams. As a Communication Arts graduate, Brian worked in telecommunications and broadcast journalism before taking a chance with screenwriting. “I knew I wouldn’t be happy until I gave writing a real shot,” Brian says. And while his degree wasn’t in film study, he says the electives he took at Concord gave him practical production experience that has helped him in his current career. “I got to make live TV. I got to make my own short films. I got to study screenwriting and film. And, more than that, my time at Concord helped me grow into a more mature, professional person ready to give the real world a shot.”
Brian Arnold '09
Bluefield, WV
Mikayla McMullen '18
Marlinton, WV
Allen Smith '05
Director of Admissions
Josie Crawford '24
Biology Major with Biomedical Sciences Emphasis
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
When Dr. Pendergast was finishing her Ph.D. in Social Work Education at the University of South Carolina, she dreamed of teaching at a school like Concord. “I have wanted to live in the mountains for as long as I can remember,” she says. In 2007, she accepted a tenure-track position at CU and has found a home here. “The campus community is welcoming and accepting,” she says. Before completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Pendergast was a practicing social worker, valuable experience she shares with her students. “When I speak with students about social work, I explain that this is the best job and worst job you can have,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to see how people can change their lives, and it can be discouraging when these changes do not come.” Dr. Pendergast is dedicated to preparing her students for the realities they’ll face after graduation, and says she enjoys “being a small part of their journey.”
